Child-resistant packaging for regulated products

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are child-resistant packages for a regulated product, the packages comprising: a housing having an open end, a plurality of release tabs formed in a wall thereof, and a locking edge defined on an inside surface thereof; and an insert for containing the regulated product slidably received through the open end of the housing, the insert having: an openable end for accessing the regulated product, the openable end openable when the insert is at least partially removed from the housing; and a locking tab positioned on an outside surface of the insert having a plurality of ends that are each aligned with one of the plurality of release tabs, the locking tab biased such that each of the plurality of ends contact the locking edge when sliding the insert out of the housing without depressing the plurality of release tabs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/137,590, filed Jan. 14, 2021, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to product packaging. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to child-resistantpackaging for storing regulated products therein.

BACKGROUND

Regulated products are generally required to be sold and stored inchild-resistant packaging so that children cannot access the contentstherein.

For example, cannabis is becoming legal for recreational and medicinaluse in an increasing number of countries around the world. In thesecountries, cannabis is commonly commercially available in the form ofpre-rolled joints (or “pre-rolls”), similar in form to cigarettes.Pre-rolls are convenient in that a user does not need to roll their ownjoint in order to smoke cannabis.

Pre-rolls are generally sold individually or in groups of two to ten.Individually sold pre-rolls are typically packaged in plastic tubeshaving a child-resistant lid, similar to those used for prescriptionpill bottles. Groups of pre-rolls, however, are typically sold inpackaging similar to that used for cigarettes—i.e. a pack in which aplurality of pre-rolls may be stored.

As a result, the child-resistant features used for the pre-roll packagesare considerably different from those used for the individually soldpre-rolls. For example, the pre-roll packages may be outfitted withchild-resistant features that are single-use in that, once the packagingis opened, the child-resistant feature will no longer function (e.g. thepackage may be perforated such that the top may be torn off).Alternatively, some pre-roll packages include a plastic insert havingtabs that extend out of apertures formed in the package that may bedepressed in order to allow the plastic insert to be removed. However,such configurations complicate manufacturing, as multiple types ofmaterials are required to produce a single package. Further, aftermultiple uses, the plastic insert may become permanently deformed,making it difficult even for adults to remove the insert from thepackage.

Thus, there exists a need for child-resistant packaging for regulatedproducts that is easy to manufacture and capable of being openedmultiple times without affecting the usability thereof.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure recognizes that there are problems with existingchild-resistant packaging for regulated products, including those forcontaining cannabis products.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a child-resistantpackage for a regulated product, the package comprising: a housinghaving an open end, a plurality of release tabs formed in a wallthereof, and a locking edge defined on an inside surface thereof; and aninsert for containing the regulated product slidably received throughthe open end of the housing, the insert having: an openable end foraccessing the regulated product, the openable end openable when theinsert is at least partially removed from the housing; and a locking tabpositioned on an outside surface of the insert having a plurality ofends that are each aligned with one of the plurality of release tabs,the locking tab biased such that each of the plurality of ends contactthe locking edge when sliding the insert out of the housing withoutdepressing the plurality of release tabs.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to use of thechild-resistant package described herein for storing a regulatedproduct. The regulated product may comprise one or more cannabisproducts.

Other aspects and features of the methods of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review ofthe following description of specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent in the following detailed description in which reference ismade to the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only andare not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a closed child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the child-resistant packageshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an inside of a housing of a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a back perspective view of an insert of a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an open child-resistant packageaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a housing blank for a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of an insert blank for a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an insert blank for a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a housing blank for a child-resistantpackage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to child-resistant packagingand, in particular, to child-resistant packaging for a regulatedproduct. The child-resistant packages of the present disclosure afford anumber of advantages over conventional packages. For example, thechild-resistant packages may be used multiple times without affectingtheir usability. As described above, some conventional child-resistantpackages, such as those having a plastic insert defining deformabletabs, may become permanently deformed after multiple uses, which maymake it more difficult to access the regulated product contained thereinor, in some cases, may make it so that a child can easily slide theinsert out of the package.

Another advantage of the child-resistant packages of the presentdisclosure is that they may be manufactured with relative ease. In moredetail, the child-resistant packages may be formed of a simple two-piececonstruction. As well, each piece of the two-piece construction mayadvantageously be formed of the same material. Such configurationssignificantly simplify the manufacturing process, which may greatlyreduce the costs associated with the production of the child-resistantpackages. As well, due to the simplicity of production, themanufacturing processes may be readily upscaled to industrially relevantlevels, meaning that the child-resistant packages of the presentdisclosure are not limited to smaller-scale applications (e.g. craftcannabis products). In contrast, as described above, conventionalchild-resistant packaging for regulated products may comprise multiplepieces that are each formed of a different material, which complicatesthe manufacturing process significantly.

Yet another advantage of child-resistant packages of the presentdisclosure is that they may be biodegradable. As discussed above,conventional child-resistant packaging may include one or more plasticcomponents. Unfortunately, in the same manner as cigarette packs,product packaging for regulated products such as cannabis products isoften not disposed of properly. Thus, a package that is biodegradablemay be particularly advantageous, as, in the event that it is notproperly disposed of, it will at least degrade over time without havingany potentially environmentally harmful components such as plastics,metals, and the like remain.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, wherein numerals refer to like components, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings that further show exemplaryembodiments, without limitation.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a child-resistantpackage for a regulated product, the package comprising: a housinghaving an open end, a plurality of release tabs formed in a wallthereof, and a locking edge defined on an inside surface thereof; and aninsert for containing the regulated product slidably received throughthe open end of the housing, the insert having: an openable end foraccessing the regulated product, the openable end openable when theinsert is at least partially removed from the housing; and a locking tabpositioned on an outside surface of the insert having a plurality ofends that are each aligned with one of the plurality of release tabs,the locking tab biased such that each of the plurality of ends contactthe locking edge when sliding the insert out of the housing withoutdepressing the plurality of release tabs.

As used herein, “regulated product” refers to a consumer product that isregulated in some capacity by a government agency. Examples of regulatedproducts include tobacco products, cannabis products, pharmaceuticals,and the like.

As used herein, “child-resistant package” or “child-resistant packaging”means a packaging product that is configured to be difficult forchildren to open but readily openable by adults to reduce the likelihoodthat children may access the contents contained therein.

As used herein, “housing” refers to a component of the child-resistantpackage that slidably receives the insert therein. The housing has abody with at least one open end, through which the insert is slidablyreceived. The body of the housing may be any suitable shape such as, forexample, a rectangular prism. In such configurations, the body may havea front wall and a back wall that are larger than the sidewalls thereof.

The housing also has a locking edge defined on an inside surface of itsbody. As used herein, “locking edge” refers to a feature of the housingused to prevent the insert from being removed once received therein. Thelocking edge extends from the inside surface of the housing such thatthe locking tab of the insert can contact it when a user attempts toremove the insert from the housing, thereby stopping the insert frommoving any further. As will be discussed below, the locking edge may beformed using a number of configurations.

The housing also has a plurality of release tabs formed in a wallthereof. As used herein, “release tabs” refer to portions of the body ofthe housing that may be depressed to, in turn, depress the ends of alocking tab of the insert to thereby allow the insert to be removed fromthe housing (e.g. by pulling the insert out of the housing). The releasetabs may be formed by cutting the tabs into the body of the housing, forexample. Alternatively, the release tabs may be formed in the wall ofthe housing by marking them thereon. The release tabs are aligned withthe ends of the locking tab of the insert such that depressing therelease tabs depresses the ends of the locking tab, as will be describedbelow. The release tabs are also positioned close enough to the lockingedge that the locking tab cannot return to its initial position beforepassing the locking edge when a user attempts to remove the insert fromthe housing while depressing the release tabs.

As used herein, “insert” refers to a component of the child-resistantpackage that is configured to contain therein the regulated product andto be slidably received within the housing. The insert has a body withan openable end for accessing the regulated product contained thereinwhen the insert is at least partially removed from the housing. That is,the openable end is not openable when it is positioned within thehousing. The body of the insert is generally the same shape as thehousing so that it may be readily received therein and so that thelocking tab of the insert may be easily aligned with the release tabs ofthe housing.

In some embodiments, the insert also has a locking tab positioned on anoutside surface thereof. As described above, the locking tab has aplurality of ends and is biased such that its ends will abut the lockingedge when attempting to pull the insert out of the housing withoutdepressing the release tabs, thus preventing the insert from beingremoved. The ends of the locking tab are aligned with the release tabsof the housing such that depressing the release tabs also depresses theends of the locking tab. Because of the bias, after the locking tab hasbeen moved away from the release tabs (e.g. while removing the insertfrom the housing) or after the release tabs are no longer depressed, itwill return to its initial position. Further, as will be discussedbelow, the locking tab is generally arranged such that is does notprevent the insert from being slid into the housing.

Thus, in operation, depressing the release tabs of the housing depressesthe ends of the locking tab such that they do not contact the lockingedge when pulling the insert out of the housing, thereby allowing theinsert to be removed. The insert may then be slid back into the housing,at which point the locking tab will return to its initial position torender the package child-resistant.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an example of a child-resistantpackage 10 for a regulated product according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The child-resistant package 10 comprises a housing20 and an insert 30 slidably received within the housing 20.

The housing 20 has an open end though which the insert 30 is slidablyreceived. The open end of the housing 20 may have cut-outs 29 formedtherein to facilitate the removal of the insert 30 from the housing 20by exposing a portion of the insert 30 for a user to grip while pullingthe insert 30 out of the housing 20. The cut-outs 29 may be formed inthe sidewalls of the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 1. In anotherembodiment, the cut-outs 29 may be formed in the front and back walls ofthe housing 20. In some embodiments, the cut-outs 29 may be formed in acombination of front, back, or sidewalls of the housing 20. Further, inthe illustrated embodiment, the cut-outs 29 are curvilinear, but othershapes are possible and are contemplated. For example, in someembodiments, the cut-outs 29 may be generally square-shaped.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 20 also has a plurality of release tabs22 formed in a wall thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, theplurality of release tabs 22 comprises two tabs; however, other numbersof release tabs 22 may be used if so desired. For example, in someembodiments, the housing 20 may comprise one or more additional releasetabs (not shown) in another side thereof, such as a sidewall. Asdescribed above, the plurality of release tabs 22 may be formed bycutting them into the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 2. In suchembodiments, the cut portion of the housing 20 that defines the releasetabs 22 is depressible into the housing 20, while the uncut portionsprovide a slight bias away from the insert 30 so that the release tabsdo not remain depressed after use. Alternatively, as described above,the release tabs 22 may otherwise be marked on the housing 20 but notcut into the housing 20. The marked release tabs 22 indicate theportions of the housing 20 for a user to depress.

The release tabs 22 may be shaped in order to facilitate their pressingby the fingers of a user. That is, the release tabs 22 may bedimensioned large enough so that they are easy to depress by adultfingers. For example, in some embodiments, the release tabs 22 may havea width of about 7.5 mm to about 15 mm. In some embodiments, the releasetabs 22 have a length of about 5.0 mm to about 10 mm. Further, it isnoted that, while the release tabs 22 are a generally rounded shape inthe illustrated embodiment, other shapes are possible and arecontemplated. In some embodiments, the release tabs 22 may be generallysquared.

Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the release tabs 22are generally horizontally aligned. However, other arrangements arepossible and are contemplated. For example, in some embodiments, therelease tabs 22 may be aligned generally vertically, diagonally, etc.

The housing 20 also comprises a locking edge 24, as shown in FIG. 3. Asdescribed above, the locking edge 24 provides a surface for a lockingtab 32 of the insert 30 (see FIG. 4) to abut in order to prevent theinsert 30 from being removed from the housing 20. In some embodiments,the locking edge 24 may be a piece of material adhered to the insidesurface of the housing 20. In another embodiment, the locking edge 24may be formed by cutting a section of housing 20 and bending the sectiondownwardly into the housing 20 such that it may abut the locking tab 32of the insert 30 when attempting to slide the insert out of the housing20. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking edge 24 is defined by aninner panel 26. In some embodiments, the inner panel 26 is a separatepiece of material adhered to the housing 20. In a particular embodiment,the inner panel 26 is a portion of the housing 20 folded and adhered toan inside surface thereof.

In some embodiments, the inner panel 26 has a recess 28 formed thereinthat defines an additional locking edge 24 a. The additional lockingedge 24 a may prevent the insert 30 from being completely removable fromthe housing 20. In more detail, in operation, when the insert 30 isbeing slid out of the housing 20, the locking tab 32 will return to itsinitial position as it moves away from the depressed release tabs 22, atwhich point the locking tab 32 is capable of contacting the additionallocking edge 24 a. As shown in FIG. 3, the locking edge 24 a ispositioned above the locking edge 24. Thus, after the locking tab 32returns to its initial position, the locking tab 32 will then abut theadditional locking edge 24 a, thereby preventing the insert 30 frombeing further removed from the housing 20. As will be discussed below,due to the arrangement of the locking tab 32, it may be slid back out ofthe recess 28 without abutting another edge thereof, thereby allowingthe insert 30 to be easily pushed back into the housing 20. Suchembodiments may be beneficial, as a user is prevented from completelyremoving and subsequently losing the insert 30, which may affect thechild-resistance of the package 10.

It is noted that, while in the illustrated embodiment the recess 28 hasa generally rectangular shape, any shape is possible so long as therecess 28 still defines the additional locking edge 24 a.

In general, the locking edge 24 and, if present, the locking edge 24 ahave a height that allows the locking tab 32 to contact them when notdepressed by the release tabs 22. In some embodiments, the locking edges24, 24 a may have about a height of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. As well,it is noted that, while the illustrated embodiment shows the lockingedges 24, 24 a extending across a majority of width of the housing 20,such a configuration is not required. Rather, the locking edges 24, 24 amay be functional as long as they extend along enough of the width ofthe housing 20 that they are contactable by each end of the locking tab32.

Further, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the locking edge 24 ispositioned close enough to the release tabs 22 that the locking tab 32cannot return to its initial position before passing thereover when auser attempts to remove the insert 30 while depressing the release tabs22. In some embodiments, the locking edge 24 is positioned about 0.1 mmto about 3 mm away from the release tabs 22.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective back view of theinsert 30 completely removed from the housing 20 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The insert 30 has an openable end36 for accessing the regulated product contained therein. As discussedabove, the openable end 36 is only openable when the insert 30 is atleast partially removed from the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 5. Theopenable end 36 may be hingedly openable, as in the illustratedembodiment, in which the openable end 36 hinges away from the body ofthe insert 30 to allow access to the contents thereof. In suchembodiments, if the insert 30 is not at least partially removed from thehousing 20, the openable end 36 cannot open, as a portion of theopenable end 36 abuts an inside surface of the housing 20, therebypreventing it from hinging open.

As discussed above, the insert 30 also has the locking tab 32 positionedon an outside surface thereof. The locking tab 32, if not depressed viathe release tabs 22, prevents the insert 30 from being slidably removedfrom the housing 20. In more detail, the locking tab 32 comprises aplurality of ends 34 and is biased such that, when not depressed by therelease tabs 22, the plurality of ends 34 will contact the locking edge24 when attempting to slide the insert 30 out of the housing 20, therebypreventing the insert 30 from being removed from the housing 20. Asshown in FIG. 4, the biasing of the locking tab 32 may result in thelocking tab 32 being angled towards the top of the insert 30 such thatit forms an acute angle with the wall of the insert 30. Suchconfigurations may be beneficial, as the insert 30 may be easily slidback into the housing 20 without the locking tab 32 abutting features ofthe housing 20 such as the recess 28 to prevent the receiving of theinsert 30.

The number of ends 34 of the locking tab 32 may correspond to the numberof release tabs 22. In more detail, in some embodiments, in use, eachrelease tab 22 depresses an end 34 so that the locking tab 32 may passbelow the locking edge 24 when the insert is being slid out of thehousing 20. However, in other embodiments, one release tab 22 may beconfigured to depress more than one end 34 of the locking tab 32. Thus,it follows that the locking tab 32 is positioned on the insert 30 suchthat each end 34 thereof is aligned with a release tab 22 so that theymay be depressed thereby.

In some embodiments, the locking tab 32 is formed of a separate piece ofmaterial that is adhered to the insert 30. In another embodiment, thelocking tab 32 is formed from the same piece of material as the insert30 (e.g. cut into the insert 30 in the same manner as the release tabs22 and the housing 20 described above) and folded upwards towards thetop of the insert 30 so that the locking tab 32 is biased to abut thelocking edge 24 when the insert 30 is being removed from the housing 20.Such a configuration is used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 andbeneficially allows the insert 30 to be formed of only a single piece ofmaterial.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the ends 34 of the locking tab 32 may bespaced away from each other. Such configurations may be beneficial, asdepressing only one of the ends 34 will not result in the entire lockingtab 32 being depressed, which may increase the child-resistance of thepackage 10. Further, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4,the ends 34 of the locking tab 32 may be generally square with acurvilinear edge bridging the two ends 34. However, the ends 34 may beany other suitable shape, so long as they have sufficient surface areato be depressed by the release tabs 22.

In a further embodiment, the insert 30 may define two or more internalcompartments 38 for containing multiple regulated products separatelytherein, as shown in FIG. 5. The compartments 38 may be defined by aseparate piece of material positioned in the insert 30. Alternatively,the compartments 38 may be defined by a portion of the insert 30 foldedinto itself. Such configurations may be beneficial, as the compartments38 and insert 30 may be formed using only a single piece of material.Further, it is noted that, while the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4has two internal compartments 38 defined within the insert 30, there maybe 3, 4, 5, 6, or more internal compartments 38 defined within theinsert 30, if so desired.

In some embodiments, each of the housing 20 and the insert 30 may eachbe independently formed of a paperboard material. In some embodiments,each of the housing 20 and the insert 30 may be coated with acellophane. Thus, as previously described herein, the housing 20 and theinsert 30, and, as a result, the package 10, may be biodegradable.

In another embodiment, the housing 20, the insert 30, or a combinationthereof may be reinforced with a reinforcement material such as a foil,a plastic, or the like. In such embodiments, the reinforcement materialmay be a biodegradable plastic. Suitable biodegradable plastics includepolylactic acids (PLAs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), complexedstarches, and the like.

Further, as previously described herein, the housing 20 and the insert30 may be formed of a single piece of material such that the resultingpackage 10 has a simple two-piece construction. In some embodiments,each of the housing 20 and the insert 30 may be formed of a single pieceof paperboard material that has been folded to form the componentsthereof. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show, respectively, examples ofnon-constructed paperboard blanks of the housing 20 and the insert 30.As used herein, “blanks” refer to pieces of material that have been cutsuch that they can be subsequently folded into a selected component. Theblanks may be cut into appropriate shapes using any suitable industrialequipment, such as a die. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the blanks may be foldedalong the dashed lines to form the housing 20 and the insert 30. Foldedportions may be adjoined using any suitable industrial adhesive such asa hot-melt glue or a cold glue. It is noted that features such as therelease tabs 22 and the locking tab 32 that may be cut into the housing20 or insert 30 may be marked on the blanks and cut into the respectivecomponents after folding or, alternatively, may be cut into the blanksprior to folding.

FIG. 7 also illustrates an optional inner frame 40. The inner frame 40may be a separate piece that is adherable into the insert 30 to provideadditional structural support thereto. In some embodiments, the innerframe 40 may also define one or more of the internal compartments 38.Further, the inner frame 40 may comprise one or more tabs 42 formaintaining the openable end 36 in a closed position after pulling theinsert 30 out of the housing 20. In more detail, the one or more tabs 42may be formed in the inner frame 40 along portions that are to be foldedto define the edges thereof, as shown in FIG. 7. After folding, the oneor more tabs 42 will extend out beyond the now-defined edge such thatthey capable of contacting an inner portion of the openable end 36 whenin a closed position to thereby maintain the openable end 36 in theclosed position via a friction fit.

It is noted that while FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 each show only one example ofblanks for forming the housing 20 and insert 30, other configurations ofblanks are possible and are contemplated. For example, FIG. 8 showsanother example of a blank for forming the insert 30 and FIG. 9 showsanother example of a blank for forming the housing 20. As describedabove, the blanks may be folded along the dashed lines to form thehousing 20 and the insert 30. Folded portions may be then adjoined usingany suitable industrial adhesive. Further, it is noted that, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, there is no separate inner frame 40.Rather, the features of the inner frame 40 may be integrated into theblank, as evidenced by the one or more tabs 42.

In the present disclosure, all terms referred to in singular form aremeant to encompass plural forms of the same. Likewise, all termsreferred to in plural form are meant to encompass singular forms of thesame. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to an approximately +/−10%variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such avariation is always included in any given value provided herein, whetheror not it is specifically referred to.

It should be understood that the compositions and methods are describedin terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” variouscomponents or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consistessentially of or “consist of the various components and steps.Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims,are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that itintroduces.

For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosedherein. However, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with anyupper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, as well as, rangesfrom any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit torecite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges from anyupper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a rangenot explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with alower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any includedrange falling within the range are specifically disclosed. Inparticular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to aboutb,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently,“from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to setforth every number and range encompassed within the broader range ofvalues even if not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individualvalue may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any otherpoint or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite arange not explicitly recited.

Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends andadvantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. Theparticular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as thepresent disclosure may be modified and practiced in different butequivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments arediscussed, the disclosure covers all combinations of all thoseembodiments. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown, other than as described in theclaims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinarymeaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodimentsdisclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations areconsidered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Ifthere is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in thisspecification and one or more patent(s) or other documents that may beincorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistentwith this specification should be adopted.

Many obvious variations of the embodiments set out herein will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art in light of the presentdisclosure. Such obvious variations are within the full intended scopeof the appended claims.

1. A child-resistant package for a regulated product, the packagecomprising: a housing having an open end, a plurality of release tabsformed in a wall thereof, and a locking edge defined on an insidesurface thereof; and an insert for containing the regulated productslidably received through the open end of the housing, the inserthaving: an openable end for accessing the regulated product, theopenable end openable when the insert is at least partially removed fromthe housing; and a locking tab positioned on an outside surface of theinsert having a plurality of ends that are each aligned with one of theplurality of release tabs, the locking tab biased such that each of theplurality of ends contact the locking edge when sliding the insert outof the housing without depressing the plurality of release tabs.
 2. Thechild-resistant package of claim 1, wherein the housing furthercomprises an additional locking edge for preventing the insert frombeing completely removable from the housing.
 3. The child-resistantpackage of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an inner panel thatdefines the locking edge.
 4. The child-resistant package of claim 3,wherein the inner panel has a recess formed therein that defines anadditional locking edge for preventing the insert from being completelyremovable from the housing.
 5. The child-resistant package of claim 1,wherein the plurality of release tabs comprises two release tabs and theplurality of ends of the locking tab comprises two ends.
 6. Thechild-resistant package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of releasetabs are formed in a back wall of the housing.
 7. The child-resistantpackage of claim 1, wherein the open end of housing comprises one ormore cut-outs therein to grip the insert during removal.
 8. Thechild-resistant package of claim 1, wherein the insert defines two ormore internal compartments for containing the regulated product therein.9. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein the housing is formedof a single piece of material.
 10. The child-resistant package of claim1, wherein the insert is formed of a single piece of material.
 11. Thechild-resistant package of claim 1, wherein the housing and/or theinsert are formed of a paperboard material.
 12. The child-resistantpackage of claim 1, wherein the housing and/or the insert are coatedwith a cellophane.
 13. The child-resistant package of claim 1, which isbiodegradable.
 14. Use of the child-resistant package of claim 1 forstoring a regulated product.
 15. The use of claim 14, wherein theregulated product comprises one or more cannabis products.